Cam makes shock departure from Biggest Loser

ARARAT - Cameron Brown was well on his way to becoming The Biggest Loser when he was forced to withdraw from the reality show last week due to medical reasons.

Cam, 34, made history in the first week on the show dropping a massive 15 kilograms or 10.25 percent of his body weight - the most of any contestant to appear on the Australian series.

"To be the biggest loser in the show's history was pretty cool, I really didn't think I'd lose that much in the first week," he said.

"I told Shannon I'd like to drop 10 kilograms and he looked at me funny and said I was aiming pretty high."

Cam, who lives in Ballarat and was the store manager of Ararat Woolworths (he has since taken up a position in Ballarat to be closer to his family), said his staff were the main motivator for getting involved in The Biggest Loser: Challenge Australia.

"The staff at Woollies in Ararat said to me I needed to apply to get my life back on track, and family as well was a big reason," he said.

"I didn't think my starting weight would be that much. I thought I would be around 138 kilograms, so when it came up as 146.4 it was a bit of a shock.

"No one likes to stand up in front of the whole town and show them what you weigh."

After impressing trainers Shannan and the Commando during the Grampians boot camp, Cam wasted no time making an impression in the house in Sydney.

"I have loved every minute of it." - Cameron Brown

The father of three relished every challenge that was required of him, beginning with day one's Punisher challenge, which saw contestants race up and down the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

"I won that with Katrina (Pianta) which was pretty awesome. As Katrina said it was the first time she has ever won anything, which made it extra special," he said.

"The beach challenge was insane. Carting those massive chains it felt like nothing I have ever done before and then there was the challenge of pushing the ship container and gathering hay to build stairs.

"That was a huge challenge, it went for three to four and a half hours and the blue team won which made it even better."

While Cam was always one of the strongest players in the difficult challenges, it was a different story in the first training session with Shannan.

"Shannan's training sessions were insane. I use to play footy and train three to four times a week and then play on weekends but I have never felt anything like it," Cam said.

"I had a few words in the first week and chucked the towel in. He told me he wanted to break me going into that first session but I didn't expect it to hurt like it did.

"By the end we got on like a house on fire. He has got my number and I've got his and I've already had a chat to Shannan since I've been out."

During one of the intensive training sessions Cam noticed his heart rate had climbed to an unhealthy maximum, while he was also experiencing pain in his arms.

After a trip to the medical centre and a number of tests it was revealed Cam had several irregularities with his heart and under doctor's orders it was decided the safest option was to leave the show.

It was an emotional decision for Cam to farewell The Biggest Loser house but he said his health must come first.

Cam said the whole experience has been life changing and he bonded well with all his fellow contestants.

"I have loved every minute of it," he said.

"My aim is to be under 100kg and I am well on my way to achieving that.

"I would love to see Craig (Booby) win. The effort he is putting in when he started at over 180kg is amazing. He is just giving so much effort, it is fantastic to see."